M. Mohammed, K. Bulama, A. Bukar, M. A. Modu, A. Usman, AlhajiKasir. Lawan., Garba Abba Habib
{"title":"The impacts of building opening characteristics on dust particle deposition indoors","authors":"M. Mohammed, K. Bulama, A. Bukar, M. A. Modu, A. Usman, AlhajiKasir. Lawan., Garba Abba Habib","doi":"10.1108/ijbpa-10-2022-0162","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe effects of dust exposure in buildings and its health and comfort consequences continue to concern occupants, particularly those who spend most of their time indoors. This study examines the influence of building opening characteristics on surface dust loading in indoor environments to determine the dust particles' impact on different opening configurations.Design/methodology/approachIndoor Harmattan dust surface loading data were collected from Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria, using model rooms with six different window configurations. A simple mathematical relationship was employed to assess surface dust loading characteristics in the model rooms. The study measured dust thrice between December and February for three days (72 h). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.FindingsThe results determined the highest average surface dust loading of 12.03 g/m2 in the room with awning windows at an indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratio of 0.7. In contrast, the experiment in the room with a closed window recorded the lowest average surface dust loading of 5.24 g/m2 at an I/O ratio of 0.30, which is infiltration. The outcomes further indicate that the average surface dust loading varies with the building opening type and position, as higher surface dust loadings were recorded in locations closer to the openings (doors and windows), reaffirming that the dominant source of the dust particles is outdoors. According to the study, dust incursion due to infiltration accounts for 30% of the outdoor surface loading.Originality/valueThus, Harmattan dust is a serious challenge to the health, productivity and hygiene of building occupants in the study area. The built-environment professionals must use the study's outcome to optimize building openings' designs (shape, size and form) for effective indoor dust control.","PeriodicalId":44905,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1000,"publicationDate":"2023-05-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/ijbpa-10-2022-0162","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING TECHNOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
PurposeThe effects of dust exposure in buildings and its health and comfort consequences continue to concern occupants, particularly those who spend most of their time indoors. This study examines the influence of building opening characteristics on surface dust loading in indoor environments to determine the dust particles' impact on different opening configurations.Design/methodology/approachIndoor Harmattan dust surface loading data were collected from Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria, using model rooms with six different window configurations. A simple mathematical relationship was employed to assess surface dust loading characteristics in the model rooms. The study measured dust thrice between December and February for three days (72 h). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics.FindingsThe results determined the highest average surface dust loading of 12.03 g/m2 in the room with awning windows at an indoor-to-outdoor (I/O) ratio of 0.7. In contrast, the experiment in the room with a closed window recorded the lowest average surface dust loading of 5.24 g/m2 at an I/O ratio of 0.30, which is infiltration. The outcomes further indicate that the average surface dust loading varies with the building opening type and position, as higher surface dust loadings were recorded in locations closer to the openings (doors and windows), reaffirming that the dominant source of the dust particles is outdoors. According to the study, dust incursion due to infiltration accounts for 30% of the outdoor surface loading.Originality/valueThus, Harmattan dust is a serious challenge to the health, productivity and hygiene of building occupants in the study area. The built-environment professionals must use the study's outcome to optimize building openings' designs (shape, size and form) for effective indoor dust control.
期刊介绍:
The International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation publishes findings on contemporary and original research towards sustaining, maintaining and managing existing buildings. The journal provides an interdisciplinary approach to the study of buildings, their performance and adaptation in order to develop appropriate technical and management solutions. This requires an holistic understanding of the complex interactions between the materials, components, occupants, design and environment, demanding the application and development of methodologies for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment in this multidisciplinary area. With rapid technological developments, a changing climate and more extreme weather, coupled with developing societal demands, the challenges to the professions responsible are complex and varied; solutions need to be rigorously researched and tested to navigate the dynamic context in which today''s buildings are to be sustained. Within this context, the scope and coverage of the journal incorporates the following indicative topics: • Behavioural and human responses • Building defects and prognosis • Building adaptation and retrofit • Building conservation and restoration • Building Information Modelling (BIM) • Building and planning regulations and legislation • Building technology • Conflict avoidance, management and disputes resolution • Digital information and communication technologies • Education and training • Environmental performance • Energy management • Health, safety and welfare issues • Healthy enclosures • Innovations and innovative technologies • Law and practice of dilapidation • Maintenance and refurbishment • Materials testing • Policy formulation and development • Project management • Resilience • Structural considerations • Surveying methodologies and techniques • Sustainability and climate change • Valuation and financial investment